COLOMBO: Pakistan’s Naval Ship Zulfiquar arrived here on Tuesday with dry rations, medicines, de-flooding pumps and other emergency relief items as the death toll from Sri Lanka’s flash floods and landslides increased to 193, with 94 people missing and 142,811 families affected, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

The Ratnapura district, famous for its gem mining, recorded the highest number of casualties (79 deaths), while the meteorology department said the cyclonic storm ‘Mora’ was moving away from Sri Lanka. However, it said winds with a speed of about 80km per hour were expected, especially on the western slope of the central hills and surrounding sea areas.

The department warned that the sea off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and from Galle to Batticaloa had the potential to become rough.

Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra handed over the relief items to Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the Colombo Port.

The visiting ship is equipped to provide search and rescue facilities through its helicopter, rescue boats, medical team and expert divers.

According to the Pakistan High Commission, Dr Sipra said on the occasion that the people and government of the country would leave no stone unturned to help Sri Lanka in this time of need.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2017